Low blocks, counterattacks, and auxiliary fullbacks: How Marcelino’s Athletic Club can overcome Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final

Two Spanish giants go head-to-head this weekend when Athletic Club takes on Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final in what will be a battle of two highly contrasting styles from a tactical perspective.

Athletic Club have been in a work in progress since manager Marcelino Toral replaced Gaizka Garitano in the first week of January, over three months ago but they are by far a better side to watch from a viewers point of view and are very interesting tactically with their counter-attacking but high-intensity style.

Marcelino’s first game in charge of Los Leones was against Ronald Koeman’s side interestingly enough, with the former coming out on top in a thrilling 3-2 victory. Subsequently, the pair met two more times after that, once in La Liga and once in the Supercopa final. Barcelona did the double over their competitors in the league, but Athletic Club managed to come out 3-2 victors in the Supercopa final, winning the club’s first trophy in quite some time.

Having already lost the rescheduled Copa del Rey final nearly two weeks ago against their Basque rivals Real Sociedad, Los Leones will be looking to make use of their second consecutive shot at the trophy but defeating an in-form Catalan side will be very difficult.

This game has not failed to entertain since Marcelino took the reins at the San Mames Stadium and so we expect yet another entertaining affair. This article will be a tactical analysis preview of the game between Athletic Club and Barcelona for the Copa del Rey final this weekend. It will be an analysis of the tactics that both sides will use, looking at how they will exploit and nullify each other.

Lineups & formations

Marcelino has been quite loyal to the 4-4-2 formation since becoming the Athletic head coach. He has also deployed a 4-2-3-1 at times though too but there is not too much difference between how they are set up in the two systems.

This season, Los Leones have used a 4-4-2 in 49 percent of their matches in all competitions while the 4-2-3-1 has been the second most used tactical system, being deployed in 33 percent of their matches, whilst the remaining 18 percent comprises the 4-2-2-2 and the 4-1-4-1. We are of the opinion that Athletic Club will set up in a 4-4-2 although the positioning of Raul Garcia as part of the front two can easily switch this to a 4-2-3-1.

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